Graduate Landscape Designer - PLA

Title: Graduate Landscape Designer

 Division: Planning and Landscape Architecture

Location: Houston

LJA is an employee-owned company, and our people carry pride in their projects and their workplaces.

We have talented employees across the nation and are always looking for exceptional individuals to join the LJA team. With nearly 40 office locations, LJA is growing and ready for talented people to help us build our future. We offer great benefits and are 100% employee owned.

The Landscape Architecture Team at LJA is growing rapidly and is looking for a Graduate Landscape Designer. Team members are prepared for the challenge of implementing big ideas.  From leveraging internal departments like surveying, contract administration, and environmental engineering to working with various specialists to implement new technologies and software the Landscape Architecture team is building the foundations for a future that integrates data, research, and the latest innovations in our design process.

Graduate Landscape Designers show a high level of enthusiasm for and commitment to the firm, its mission, and the profession, and demonstrate a growing level of competence in the foundational principles in our industry. GLDs also serve as active participants in their projects and teams and have the respect of their peers & managers. Candidates should serve as a Graduate

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture (or related fields)
• 0-2 years of experience. Capable of independent work and managing assigned tasks from multiple PMs/APMs on multiple projects.
• Capable of exploring solutions to design problems and presenting options to Senior Staff
• Foundation of CAD and Project Assembly Skills
• Foundation in Graphic Communication
• Basic skills in presenting
• Familiarity with commonly used software:
  • AutoCAD, GIS
  • SketchUp, Lumion
  • Photoshop, InDesign
  • Revit/Vectorworks/Rhino
  • BlueBeam, PlanGrid
• Ability to consistently perform in a fast-paced environment

Project Responsibilities:

• Manage task assignments from multiple projects on varied timelines.
• Maintain company design styles, aesthetics, and quality to ensure clients’ needs in decision-making and marketing are met.
• Develop understanding of time need to complete assigned tasks and effectively communicate issues with project managers
• Develop foundation of knowledge of appropriate construction, finishing, and planting materials in our geographic areas of work
• Work with and assist project LD’s and staff to produce graphic and construction documents based on project needs and requirements.
• Efficient communication with project team members
• Build basic skills in graphic communication, efficiency, and knowledge in areas of design including, but not limited to, site design, planting design, and constructability.

General Responsibilities and Expectations:

• Actively collaborate with senior staff in updating existing techniques, tools, and processes in both delivery and administration of projects.
• Actively work towards a positive environment and motivate team members to improve.
• Begin to participate in relevant professional, young professional, and community organizations to grow personal professional network & skills and to increase exposure to the team
• Build a foundation of strong communication skills: verbal, written, & graphic
• Attendance of relevant regional/state conferences/workshops to keep up on current trends & techniques and to increase professional network and BD exposure
• Develop a basic understanding of relevant and appropriate regulations at local, regional, and federal levels

Leadership Expectations:

• Participate in meetings, conversations, and initiatives with Senior Staff as need/assigned
• Attend internal and external leadership and management workshops as available